Monday, October 15, 2012

It
speaks volumes about our many blessings here in America that most of us don’t
worry about our food and water supplies. But, we can’t afford
to take these items for
granted.

According to a 2012 University of Texas/Texas Tribune poll addressing the most important issues facing Texans, none of the
respondents listed food availability as a pressing concern. Furthermore, on the
heels of the worst one-year drought in Texas history – a drought that resulted
in water shortages, mandatory water restrictions and emergency water conditions
− only 16 percentof
respondents said water is as top priority.

Where
our food comes from should be on everyone’s mind. As the bar chart below
illustrates, an increasingly large amount of our nation’s fruit and vegetable
supply is being imported. From 1980 to 2010, the percentage of foreign fruits
and vegetables has grown from 13.9 to 33.5 percent.

What does this mean for consumers? It means more variety on the store
shelves, which can be a good thing. It also means we need to take notice of how
policies could be hindering domestic food production. Rising energy and input
costs and the scarcity of water and a skilled workforce all create barriers for
our farmers and ranchers.

We need an energy policy that encourages low-cost options; we need water
supplies to meet the needs of all Texans; and we need a workforce that is
skilled and reliable. We don’t like being dependent on foreign oil; we cannot
become dependent on foreign food. It’s time to rethink our priorities.

About Me

TDA Mission Statement: Partner with all Texans to make Texas the nation's leader in agriculture, fortify our economy, empower rural communities, promote healthy lifestyles, and cultivate winning strategies for rural, suburban and urban Texas through exceptional service and the common threads of agriculture in our daily lives.